Jackson, Brown trying to shed UT's 'soft' image

1of6Defensive tackle Desmond Jackson (99), nicknamed “Tank,” is being counted on to help the Longhorns improve from the past couple of porous seasons on that side of the ball.Photo: Michael Thomas / Associated Press

2of6Texas defensive tackle Malcom Brown, who registered 13 tackles for loss last season, could be a high NFL draft pick next spring with another strong season.Photo: Robin Jerstad / For the Express-News

3of6Longhorn Marcus Johnson during Sunday's UT football practice that was open to the public at Darrell Royal Memorial Stadium.Photo: For the San Antonio Express-News

4of6Longhorn Marcus Johnson during Sunday's UT football practice that was open to the public at Darrell Royal Memorial Stadium.Photo: For the San Antonio Express-News

5of6Longhorn Marcus Johnson (left) and Quandre Diggs (right) during Sunday's UT football practice that was open to the public at Darrell Royal Memorial Stadium.Photo: For the San Antonio Express-News

6of6Longhorn Marcus Johnson during Sunday's UT football practice that was open to the public at Darrell Royal Memorial Stadium.Photo: For the San Antonio Express-News

AUSTIN — Desmond Jackson didn't raise his voice. He rarely does.

As a kid, he earned the nickname “Tank,” which people still call him as a Texas defensive tackle today. But even at 6-foot-1 and 301 pounds, he usually doesn't create much of a ruckus. When asked a question, he adjusts his glasses and often takes a couple of seconds to contemplate his response, which he gives in a tone barely louder than a whisper.

That doesn't mean his words can't be forceful, though. And when he spoke last week about the Longhorns' reputation, his message was clear.

“I'm tired ...,” Jackson said, rapping a table with the knuckles on his left hand.

“... of everybody saying... ,” he continued, now pounding the wood with every other syllable.

“... that Texas' defense is soft,” he finished, the table shaking with his last smack.

If that image changes this year, there's a good chance it'll be because of the louder on-field havoc wreaked by Jackson and the man who lines up next to him. For the Longhorns, the mission of a defensive resurgence begins in the middle, with two rugged tackles who could become NFL draft picks next spring.

Jackson's job is to occupy blockers. Malcom Brown's is to shed them, then punish ball carriers. If they're successful, they'll ensure the Longhorns bounce back from two consecutive seasons in which they set school records for yards allowed per game and triggered near-constant questions about their toughness.

“That's all we've been hearing for the last two years,” Jackson said. “(People say) 'Texas' defense is soft. They can't stop the run. They can't really stop the pass.' All we're worried about is just going out there and showing everybody all the hard work and effort we put into it this year. We're ready to go.”

Under new coach Charlie Strong and defensive coordinator Vance Bedford, UT believes softness will no longer be an issue. And in a Big 12 conference dominated by talent on the perimeter, the Longhorns think they might be able to exploit opponents' weaknesses inside.

Jackson, a senior from Houston Westfield, is shorter than many nose tackles but is tremendously strong, holding the team's top bench-press mark (32 repetitions of 225 pounds) before it was recently eclipsed by offensive guard Kent Perkins. If he can command double-teams, stuff the run in his area and provide middle pressure on passes, it will have a trickle-down effect everywhere else.

“He can just anchor the line of scrimmage,” Strong said of Jackson.

That could lead to stardom for Brown, a 6-4, 305-pound junior from Brenham with all of the physical tools UT's seen from past standout tackles such as Casey Hampton, Shaun Rogers and Rod Wright.

Strong marveled at Brown's ability to power his way through blocks and chase down runners and screen passes from behind.

Like Jackson, Brown doesn't have a loud personality. But like Jackson, he doesn't shy away from speaking his mind.

“Sometimes I get fed up with stuff, and I've got to come out with it,” Brown said.

Last year, the duo combined for four sacks and 18 tackles for loss (13 from Brown). They also developed a rapport in which some back-and-forth criticism is encouraged.

“We can talk to each other,” Brown said. “When he messes up or I mess up, we can tell each other about it.”

Said Jackson: “Anytime he gets a play, I'll hear his mouth. I'll tell him, 'Don't worry about it. Don't worry about it. I'll get two plays.' Then I get two plays, and then I'll get in his ear about it.”

As it turns out, they're at their loudest when they're together. Now, the Longhorns are counting on them to be heard.

Mike Finger has worked for the Express-News since 1999, writing about the Texas Longhorns, the Big 12, the NBA and the NFL before becoming a sports columnist. He's covered 13 Spurs postseasons, six Final Fours and more than a dozen college bowl games.